medved

Absolutely agree This is not a main point of this article. A lot of people collect coins from these Baltic countries. In Europe, in these countries themselves, and in Russia. On Russian and European numismatic forums, there are entire sections on coins of the countries of the former USSR. Many varieties of these coins became known with the help of Russian collectors. Moreover, a lot of people do not like slabs and prefer to have the opportunity to hold a coin in their hands. Many people break slabs and take coins out of them to put in an album or special box. This number of users that you counted on the NGC forum is a small drop in the ocean of collectors of these coins. It is obvious to many that NGC and other similar companies have nothing to do with numismatics. These are companies that simply make money from fans of plastic boxes. If you take three large silver coins and take them out of the slabs, 95% of the collectors of these slabs will not be able to tell where MS64, MS65 & MS66 are. I'm not an amateur collector. I am a professional numismatist. Few people are as familiar with Latvian coins as I am; I wrote many articles about these coins, including publications in numismatic magazines. Currently, I am working on a book about Latvian coins. 10 years ago, I received a silver medal for my article at a European forum. And believe me, I have absolutely no problems with the attribution of these coins. NGC has problems with this, not me. This is not the point of this article. It is very hard to communicate with "American-style" people (I don't want to insult Americans), but usually answer (if the answer will be) something like that: "I don't know", "I can't guarantee", "Wait our response", "We think you are not right" etc. The main point to show the quality of the work of NGC, this is it.

Link to the PDF file with article and pictures

It is not very hard to check what kind of coin you are checking, especially if it is a modern European coin, especially if you take money for that, especially if you take additional money for that. How is possible to recognize a die chip as a mint mark? OK, even if this error looks like a mint mark, no need special skills to ask Google about the Bank of Lithuania, open the link and open the page with the coins list, where you can see the mint name, etc. You don't need even catalogs for that. This phrase means - "We don't care, we just take money - and this is the mint mark" About Latvian coins, you can read here - People who moderate this catalog are much more familiar with these type of coins than NGC experts. Probably you will see there the name "Mihails Božko" this is my name, nice to meet you. About this article. People who will read, can believe me or not - I really don't care. But very strange do not believe in Lithuanian coin for example. You have the fact of minting coin at Lithuania mint, you have official letter from Lithuanian bank, and you have NGC slab. Anyway, the people who are familiar with these coins will see and understand how NGC working. All the Best, Mihails Božko Latvian Numismatic Society mihailbozko@gmail.com +371 26019060

I understand that grading and numismatics are different things. Grading is simply a business and the provision of services. But when we receive a service for our money, we want to receive a quality service performed by professionals. But not a fault made by an amateur. I won’t talk about the numbers given to coins - these are all subjective things. Although, I just can’t understand how MS65 can be given to the coin with green oxide stains on it. (Latvia 1 santims 1922 MS65RB 5790621-006) I want to talk about something else. I will not describe all the examples (believe me there are many), I will only touch on some of them. We will talk about the coins of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. I understand that these are small countries, and many people do not even know about their existence, nevertheless, coins from these countries are also sent to NGC for grading. Estonia 3 marka 1926. Unfortunately, the photo of the slabbed coin is not available (my SSD broke, and a lot of data was lost), but the photos of the coin before grading are still available. 3 marka 1926 obverse 3 marka 1926 reverse The coin was sent to NGC between 2011 and 2016. The coin was counterfeit, but was graded by NGC as "XF Details". The counterfeit coin differed from the original by weight, color and edge shape. Edge of original coin Edge of counterfeit coin Moreover, there were traces on the rim of the coin after the edge was forming. It's hard to see the traces on the rim of the coin in these old photos. But I have a photo of another similar counterfeit coin, and these marks are very clearly visible, they go along the entire rim, and are especially clearly visible in the upper part of the coin. This type of counterfeit was made in Lithuania. Photo of the counterfeit coin with traces on the rim So, how could such a coin be sealed in a slab, if only one edge shows that it is a counterfeit coin? OK next Latvia, a few examples of slab descriptions. The first example is my favorite. 1 santims 1928 with the inscription on the coin "Name below ribbon" (MS65RB 2760076-006). 2760076-006 Obverse 2760076-006 Reverse Let's look at the "names" on the bronze coins. Location of the "names" The "names" There are two types of "names", the first is the designer's name "R. ZARRINS" found on the reverse of the coin. Please note that there are no ribbons on the reverse! Another "name" HUGUENIN is on the obverse of the coins under the coat of arms ribbon. But only on bronze coins dated 1922-1924! Why? Because only these Latvian coins were minted in Switzerland at the Huguenin Freres & Co mint and were marked by mint with the mint's name! All other silver coins and bronze coins from 1926-1935 were minted in the UK at three different mints, none of which marked the coins with their name! Question. How can a 1928 coin minted in the UK have the “name” of the Swiss mint on it? Moreover, how did the NGC find the “name” of the Swiss mint on a 1928 coin and write it on the slab? What kind of super-mega-vision did they use for this? OK, the next modern coin, dated 1996, hope it will be easier for NGC, but…. 10 latu 1996 "Corncrake" obverse 10 latu 1996 "Corncrake" reverse There are four types, which we know now and which are easy to identify. All four types have differences on the obverse and reverse, but the easiest way to determine them is by obverse and edge. The first two types – Large Letters and Small Letters. Easily identified by the letter “E” (both coins have a lettered edge). Large/Small letters Normally all coins have lettered edges, but some of them have ribbed edges – this is type #3 Lettered/Ribbed Edge And the last type – coins dated 1995 1995 Corncrake The obverse was minted using one of the dies from the previous 10 latu 1995 “Gaff-sail schooner Julia Maria”. Which was minted at the same mint. 10 latu 1995 "Julia Maria" obverse 10 latu 1995 "Julia Maria" reverse So, you can see 4 types (varieties) which very simply can be identified, isn’t it? The story begins with a coin with a ribbed edge. A description of the coin was made for the NGC, in which an explanation was given with images that there is an edge with an inscription and a ribbed edge, and a request was made to indicate on the slab variety (that this coin has a ribbed edge). All information was printed and submitted with the NGC form, where "variety" was noted. The result is that they took money for the variety but did not write anything on the slab. Result #1 OK, I tried to send it one more time and made a huge description that explained the all differences between coins. All possible varieties, a lot of images etc. And ask please write “Reeded edge”. The result this: Result #2 “RE - Griffin with tail”. What is it? Is it a problem to write just “Ribbed Edge”? OK, third take. I send a few coins and write again a new, huge letter. Moreover, I found the coin with the correct normal description added the number of this coin to my letter and asked NGC a third time - Is it possible to mention on the slabs “Reeded Edge”? Pay money for variety third time of course. I also explained in my letter that mentioning “Griffin with tale” is not correct regarding this “Corncrake” coin, because ALL these coins have “Griffin with tail” and no coins exist with “Griffin without tale”. I explained that “with or without tale” varieties exist, but regarding another coin, not “Corncrake”, but 10 latu 1995 “Gaff-sail schooner Julia Maria”. “Julia Maria” has 5 different varieties of obverse – one of them - ”Griffin without tale”. But “Corncrake” – don’t have! "Julia Maria with tale" "Julia Maria without tale" So please write on the slabs: “Lettered Edge” and “Reeded Edge” – That’s all I asking. Again everything was printed and sent together with the form. The result: Result #3.1 Result#3.2 Three times asked, three times paid money for that, an example of a coin with the correct inscription was shown, three times sending printed explanation letters with images of varieties. I cannot understand what kind of insufficiently_thoughtful_person is working there, I give up, I'm very tired of trying to explain to the dumb people elementary things. And the last story about Latvian coins will be about 2 santimi 1937. There are two slabs 3352292-010 and 3212458-001. And both of them are counterfeit! These coins were made in Lithuania. First, both of them do have not correct weights. The correct weight of these coins must be 1.99 – 2.00 g. The counterfeit coins are usually 2.3 – 2.6 g, sometimes 1.90 g. And the second thing which every amateur collector of Latvian coin knows – it is a mark on the leaf under the coat of arms. The stripe on the leaf. If you see this stripe, you know – this is a 100% counterfeit coin. Mark on counterfeit coin No comments. And now let’s talk about Lithuania. The last straw of the dilettantism of the NGC into my cup of patience. After that, I decided to write this article. We will talk about 5 litai 1999 coins. Some of them with striking errors which can be called “die chip” 5 litai 1999 with error This piece of metal looks like a bird or rooster, that’s why some people sometimes call these coins “5 litai with bird”. Some of the amateurs think – this is the mint mark, but we know that these coins were minted on the Lithuanian mint and the mint mark of this mint looks different. But the Lithuanian mint never used mint marks on these coins. Moreover, a request was made to the Lithuanian Bank regarding this error. An answer was received. It is saying: “In response to your letter, we inform you that the speck you indicated on the surface of the coin, located on the left side of the reverse, is not an element of design, but a small technological defect, within the acceptable limits of the approved technical requirements for the circulating 5 litas of the Republic of Lithuania.” Official Bank's answer So, you can see – the usual die error. But what NGC said? NGC graded 5 litai 1999 Rooster Mint Mark – Checkmate! Dear NGC if you don’t have enough experts who can recognize coins of Baltic States – maybe I can help? For free! I'm very tired of seeing what you're doing with these coins. Totally zero professionalism. P.S. Later I'll make pdf file with images, here I cannot add normally.

Reply from NGC: Hello Mihails, Thank you for contacting NGC. We try to provide as much information as possible on getting these coins to us safely on our How to Package Coins for Submission page. We believe your coins will arrive safely this way. You are able to add bubble wrap as well if you believe it necessary. Please let us know if we can further assist. My replay: Good Day, yes I know this article, but this article doesn’t answer my question. If the coin is designed and minted without RIM and I will remove it from the original Bank’s capsule – nothing will protect it from micro scratches inside the flip. So, is it possible for such coins like https://monetas.bank.lv/en/coins/coin-of-fortune to send in the original capsule to avoid damage inside the flip??? By the way, all bubble wrap contains PVC! Thank you! NGC reply: Hello Mihails, Thank you for your response. As long as your coin is easy to remove from the capsule then this one coin is fine to come in the capsule, but if our graders have any difficulty opening the capsule it will not be graded. Now I am thinking about how to understand whether it is an easy-open capsule or not

Good Day. I have a question about sending coins to NGC for grading. The coins must be sent in plastic pocket holders only, not in capsules. It’s OK – no questions, but if my Proof coin doesn’t have a rim? Like for example this coin: https://monetas.bank.lv/en/coins/coin-of-fortune. How I can avoid moving coins inside the pocket? How I can avoid micro-scratches which can be? Is it a big problem to send coins in capsules if most of the Proof coins are already in the capsules? Thank you

Request for set correction Country: Latvia Set’s name: Santīms 1992-2013 20 santimu list must be corrected (#18-23). There are 4 coins that must be in the list: · 20 santimu 1992 (KM#22.1) · 20 santimu 1992 (Brass Plated Steel) or (Magnetic Alloy) (KM#22.2) · 20 santimu 2007 (KM#22.1) · 20 santimu 2009 (KM#22.1) Now the list looks like this (please see picture): #18 – Without a date, need to remove it from the list #19 – Without a date, need to remove it from the list #20 – I advise removing the inscription “Nickel Brass” and leaving just the value and date “20 santimu 1992” to be similar to #22 and #23 because it is the same coins from the same alloy (Originally standard coins from the correct alloy) KM#22.1. But if you don’t agree with that, this alloy must be written correctly. Bank of Latvia website - ”Material: alloy of copper, nickel, and zinc”. In the coin sets written: “Cu/Ni/Zn”. #21 – KM#22.2 I advise changing the inscription “Copper-Nickel” to “20 santimu 1992 Magnetic Alloy”. Because the collectors of Latvia coins recognize these 20 santimu 1992 coins as “magnetic” or “non-magnetic”, most of them don’t even know about the alloy from which the coins were minted 😊. This will be the best and easiest way for all (You can also check my coin 3938057-083 MS66 – written “Magnetic Alloy”). But if you don’t agree with that, this alloy must be written correctly. The correct alloy is “Brass plated Steel” “Brass clad Steel” or “German 10 pfennig Planchet”. Anyway, this is absolutely not a “Copper-Nickel” like it is written now! #22 – Changes not needed #22 – Changes not needed

I wrote this post 3.5 months ago. Can you tell me please how long usually need to wait, to hear YES or NO???

How long usually need to wait your action/reaction?

Yes, no problem: 1 santims 1992 - 5785992-0181 santims 1997 - 6631703-0081 santims 2003 - 6631703-0091 santims 2005 - 6631703-0101 santims 2007 - 6631703-0111 santims 2008 - 6631703-0122 santimi 1992 - 5785993-0022 santimi 2000 - 6631703-0042 santimi 2006 - 6631703-0052 santimi 2007 - 6631703-0062 santimi 2009 - 6631703-007

Yesterday found in Census this description of Latvian pattern bronze coin Latvia. 1 santims 1923 MS64RBP Mint State 64 Red-Brown... so the question is: What is "P"?

Hi there, I'd like to ask you to add a new set. Latvia Modern Republic, (1992 - Date) 1 santims (KM#15) & 2 santimi (KM#21) 1992-2009 Set includes all Cooper Clad Steel coins from the beginning of coinage of Modern Republic till Euro era. 11 coins: 1 santims 1992 - 5785992-0181 santims 1997 - 6631703-0081 santims 2003 - 6631703-0091 santims 2005 - 6631703-0101 santims 2007 - 6631703-0111 santims 2008 - 6631703-0122 santimi 1992 - 5785993-0022 santimi 2000 - 6631703-0042 santimi 2006 - 6631703-0052 santimi 2007 - 6631703-0062 santimi 2009 - 6631703-007 Thank you!

Result

Coins on German planchets arrived at the Bank of Latvia in bags, mixed with ordinary coins. Therefore, their number is unknown to anyone. The official letter is dated September 9, 1993, the coins entered circulation on June 28, 1993. That is, a certain amount of coins fell into circulation within two months. Then the coins getting into the bank began to be withdrawn from circulation. How many coins have left now, after 30 years, is unknown. Latvia has switched to the euro since 2014.

The same coins, but different descriptions. "Magnetic alloy" is characterized as a variety in the Census, others like errors of usual coins.